Fiqah of following the Athar PT 1

Praises are all due to Allah, the Most High and the Most Wise. We ask Allah to bestow his
blessings on Muhammad () .The most correct etiquette for a seeker of knowledge is to avoid
taking a contrary opinion which is isolated from the understanding of the Sahabah. Allah says:
And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger after the right path has been shown
clearly to him, and follows other than the believers' way. We shall keep him in the path he has
chosen, and burn him in Hell - what an evil destination1 The Most Merciful warns that choosing
a path other than the Messenger and His companions lands a person in Hell. Who are the best
believers after the Prophet ( ?) Who witnessed revelations descend? Why not learn some
basic guiding principles for their speech and actions. Seeking Allahs assistance I collected some
details about the Sahabahs narration and titled this article, Fiqah of Following the Athar

Definition
In order to have an accurate understanding of this topic we need to first
concentrate on the meaning of the title. Fiqah of following the Athar. Fiqah in
the linguistically meaning refers to comprehension, however here I am using the
technical Islamic term for the word which is : Knowledge of the Islamic verdicts
related to belief or actions and then deeds based on them.2 Next the word Athar
is something that remains, but the technical Islamic expression for the word is:
anything narrated on the Prophet ( ) or His companions (may Allah be pleased
with them). This is the definition for the majority of the scholars of hadith as cited
by Imam An-Nawawi. The Scholars in Khurasan consider the word Athar to be
used only when talking about the narrations of the companions and Khabar to
refer to anything narrated on the Prophet () . 3
In this article we will use the word Athar for the narrations of the companions
(radi Allahu anhum). So the topic for discussion means: Having a familiarity for

Quran: An-Nisa-115
Shaykh Ahmad An-Najjar, Sharhul Waraqat , pg 26
3
Refer to Fathul Maghith (1/105), Tadreeb Ar-Rawee(1/43) Qawaid fi Ulumil Hadeeth (pg 25-26)
2

the Islamic verdicts about belief and deeds from the Sahabah, and thus acting by
those verdicts.
The status of the companions
The companions of the Prophet ( ) are those people who meet him, believed in him and died
as Muslims, even if they apostate and then returned to Islam before their death. Prophet
Muhammads( ) companions are the best nation.4 Allah has praised the Sahabah, And the
first to embrace Islam of the Muhajirun (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and
the Ansar (the citizens of Al-Madinah who helped and gave aid to the Muhajirun) and also those
who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased
with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein
forever. That is the supreme success.

The Importance of the Sahabahs Athar to understand the Shariah

The Sahabah understood the meanings of the Prophets speech and followed his
actions. The Prophets companions are the best generation for the Muslims to
learn from. They learned directly from the Prophet .The Sahabah understood all
the fundamental principles of this deen. Whenever there was a possible
misunderstanding or they required extra clarity they asked the Prophet directly or
other companions.6
The recording of their narrations
Allah the Most Wise said: Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the
7
Qur'an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption). This verse serves as a promise
from Allah that revelation will remain unharmed and whenever innovation appears it
will be rebuked. A real blessing for this nation is the preservation of the Isnad, unlike
the previous nations. Muslims have texts for the Prophets speech, action, approval,
disapproval, description and character. The task to report these narrations was taken
up by his companions. Now it didnt stop there, and the speech, actions, approval
and disapproval for his companions has also been recorded. The wisdom behind this
4

Al-Alamah Abdul Aziz Ar-Rajhi, Sharus Usul As-Sunnah( pg 19-20)

Quran : At-Taubah: 100
6
Refer to Majmu 9/200
7
Quran :Al-Hijr:9
5

action comes from the Prophets words, The Muslims will split into 73 groups and all
them will go to Hell, except 1. The companions asked him: Who are the Muslims
saved from Hell? , He replied: Those who practice Islam like me and my
companions.8
After we hear such a strong praise from Allah and His messenger we should be easily persuaded
to want to read the Seerah of the Prophet and His companions; in order to know how they lived
and worshipped Allah. The companions of the Prophet ( ) are all trustworthy and reliable, so
there is no reason to search about their integrity. Therefore whenever scholars of hadith

begin to check the Isnad they begin with the Tabeeoon , then those who succeeded
them and so on .9
Since there is value in the Athar of the companions the Muhaddithoon collected
them in their books; Imam Malik in his Muwatta, Abdur Razak in the Musnaf, Ibn Abi
Shaybah in the Musnaf, Saeed ibn Mansour in his Sunnan and Ibn Hazm in AlMuhallah. These books are among the most noted with Athar of the Sahabah(Radi
Allahu anhum), but there are many more which cant be mentioned here due to their
exceeding numbers.
The Athar of the Sahabah found within these books are called, Mawqoof
The Status of the Athar of the Sahabah
Allah says: Allaah knows best with whom to place His Message10
The era of the Shabah is a golden one. Imam Malik said : Whatever wasnt
considered part of the religion of during the period Prophet and His companions
cant be considered part of the religion today. 11
Hudhayfah said: Every act of worship the companions didnt do, then you must
avoid it.12
Imam Az-Zanjani (471H) said in Ar-Raa-iyah13
8

Abu Dawud (5496), At-Tirmithi(2641) on the authority of Abdullah ibn Amr (radi Allahu anhu) graded as being
Hasan by shaykh Al-Albani in Mishkah (171)
9
Al-Alamah Ar-Rajhi , pg 20
10
Quran :al-Anaam 6:124
11
Al-Itasam Ash-Shatabi 1/28
12
Al-Lalakaae , Sharh Usul (1/101)


Whatever wasnt a common practice during their era

Then someone comes after them and makes it practice, is rejected then rebuked.
Shaykh Abdul Razaq Al-Badr (may Allah preserve him) said : This line of poetry means
any act of worship that wasnt usual during the time of the companions cant be
considered a part of Islam. 14
As a result of this principle agreed on by the Ahlus Sunnah Imam Ahmed said :
The Fundamental principles of the Sunnah with us; Sticking to what the companions
of Allahs Messenger did and following their examples as a model to be followed. 15
Al-Alamah Abdul Aziz Ar-Rajhi (may Allah preserve him) said: This means we follow
the companions by doing what they did and saying the same thing they said and
avoiding whatever they avoided.16
Scholars interaction with the Athar of the Sahabah
This nation divided over the companions and their level. The Rafidah hate and curse
plus consider all of the Prophets Sahabah disbelievers except a few. The small
number of among them they accept are Salman Al-Farasi,Ammar ibn Yasar, and Abi
Dhaar Al-Ghafari. In contrast the Khawarij consider the Prophets household, in
particular Ali ibn Abi Talib disbelievers.17
Ahlus Sunnah are the middle course between those two groups. They hold a high
opinion and respect for the companions. The accept the order for the four rightly
guided Caliphs; Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman , then Ali(Radi Allahu anhum). If these 4
13

Sad ibn Ali Abu Qassim Az-Zanjani, Az-Zanjani is a place located in Azerbaijan. He was born in 380 H.He died in
Mecca and heard from numerous scholars. He learned from Muhammad ibn Al-Fadl, Muhammad ibn Abi Ubayd,
and some of his students were Muhammad ibn Tahir, Abul Fadl Al-Maqdasi, Abu Bakr Al-Khateeb and As-Samani.
He authored numerous books in Aqeedah and Fiqh. Ibn Jawzi said he was an Imam and Hafith known to be
steadfast in his obedience to Allah. His Aqeedah was Salafy. Explanation of Manthumma Ar-Raa-iyah
14
Shaykh Abdur Razaq , Explanation of Manthumma Ar-Raa-iyah page 70
15
Imam Ahmed , Usul As-Sunnah.
16
Ar-Rajhi , pg 21
17
Sharhu Al-Qaseedahti Ad-Daaliyah, byAl-Alamah Abdur Rahman Al-Barrak, pg 98-98

Imams agree on a issue of Fiqh but there are other companions who differed with
them, then their position would be considered to be the closet to the truth, but not a
PROOF. Placing these four caliphs as a proof in this instance would make them
infallible.
Without a doubt, when Abu Bakr and Umar both agree on something it carries strong
weight; as the Prophet ( ) If you obey Abu Bakr and Umar , then you will be
guided.18 And Follow Abu Bakr and Umar after I die.19
Nevertheless, both of these noble companions speech or actions arent a proof if
there is a contradiction. 20
Likewise the speech and action of the Prophets Household isnt counted as
evidence.21 If their speech agrees with the Quran& the Sunnah then its accepted,
otherwise its rejected.
Scholars rely on the Athar for Issues of Fiqh and Aqeedah.
Scholars of Fiqh and Hadith value the Athar for issues of Fiqh and Aqeedah. When it
comes to Fiqh there are some guidelines the scholars hold. For example; If and when
a companion said: We were ordered, We were prohibited from, We were allowed
to, then these words carry the rank of being attributed to the Prophet (( ) .
In other words, the Prophet ( ) is one who commanded his companions during his
lifetime. Moreover, if the companions said: From the Sunnah is then this also is
connected to the Prophet ( ; ) as they are only referring to His Sunnah.
Furthermore, when the Sahabah said: We used to do this or that during the time of
the Prophet () , in that case this and with all of the previous words are proofs and

18

Muslim # 281
At-Tirmithi # 3662. Graded as being Hasan by Imam at-Tirmithi
20
Sharuh Mukhtsar Al-Harir, by Al-Uthaymee
21
His household includeds: Ali, Fatimah, Hasan and Hussain. This is who people refer to when they mention his
household, but his wives are also included.
19

are directly related to the Prophet ( ) although, he isnt mentioned. The technical
Islamic term for these phrases are, Marfu Hukm22
Summary

Islam is preserved by Allah through the Quran and the authentic texts of the
Sunnah and the Athar. The companions of the Prophet served Islam with the life.
For that reason loving them is the religion, faith and piety, but hating them is kufr,
hypocrisy and misguidance. Returning to the Athar of the companions protects
our comprehension, helps our intellectual capacity for issues of Aqeedah, Fiqh
and Tafsir. Their Fatawa contain what they heard from the Prophet, or from other
companions who heard it from the Rasul() . In consequence the speech of the
companions is proof whenever disagreement from other the Quran, Sunnah or
other companions is non-existent. Whenever there is a difference between the
companions in issues of Fiqh then it is a must to take the strongest view. This is
only acceptable when their speech and actions dont oppose the texts based on
their intellectual deduction. And when their logic goes against the texts they are
excused. May Allah be pleased with all of the Sahabah.23

Prepared by the one in need of Allahs Mercy

Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Lamont Battle Sr
Phd Student (Hadith & its Sciences)
Doha, Qatar 1436

22
23

Refer to Ikthsar ulumul Hadith, by Ibn Kathir

Manthumma Usul-Al-Fiqh wa Qawaid, by Al-Uthaymeen, pg 184.